What electrical component is typically used for signal amplification?

The electrical component commonly utilized for signal amplification is the transistor. Transistors are semiconductor devices that can control the flow of electric current and can amplify electrical signals, making them crucial in various electronic circuits. When a small input current is applied to a transistor, it allows a much larger current to flow from its collector to its emitter, effectively increasing the power of the signal without significantly altering its form.

Transistors are integral in applications such as audio amplification, radio frequency circuits, and digital signal processing. They can function in various configurations, such as common emitter, common source, or common collector, each providing different types of amplification effects suitable for various electronic applications.

In contrast, diodes are primarily used for controlling the direction of current flow and do not amplify signals; they allow current to pass in one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. Relays act as electrically operated switches and are used for controlling large currents with smaller ones, rather than amplifying signals. Fuses are protective devices designed to interrupt the flow of electricity when a circuit is overloaded, preventing damage to the circuit components, but they do not play a role in signal amplification.